CLEVELAND — One of downtown Cleveland's most popular bars will no longer be able to sell alcohol following multiple reported violations of the state's COVID-19 health orders.
The Ohio Liquor Control Commission confirmed Wednesday that Barley House on West 6th Street will have its liquor license revoked. The decision does not go into effect until March 24, giving the restaurant time to challenge the ruling.
In a release, the commission outlined at least three reported instances of Barley House violating health measures meant to curb the spread of the coronavirus. Dating back to September, the bar is accused of not maintaining social distancing protocols and selling alcohol after 10 p.m. on several occasions.
In addition, officials also took Barley House to task for failing to keep the premises "in a sanitary condition" back in December of 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic even began. The facility initially faced a total of $7,300 in fines, but instead had their license stripped altogether at the commission's latest hearing following the most recent allegations of "disorderly activity" last November.
Barley House was one of more than 30 Cleveland-Akron-Canton area bars to be found in violation of Gov. Mike DeWine's health orders in the commission's Wednesday report, but its four violations were the most of any other local establishment and it was the only one to have its license revoked altogether. Others faced the option to pay a fine, some in the thousands of dollars.
Representatives from Barley House tell 3News' Will Ujek they will appeal the decision. The case will be tried in the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, and if the appeal is denied, the restaurant will lose its liquor license for at least a year unless a waiver is granted.
Multiple Northeast Ohio bars have already had their liquor licenses revoked due to rules violations. Most, however, have only faced financial penalties.